Recently, I have noticed the various social media algorithms (algorithmi?) feeding me clips of people showing off their VHS collections. Maybe it’s a genuine trend, or maybe it’s just my feed, but either way, it’s interesting to see. 20+ years ago, vinyl records started their comeback. Today, it seems VHS tapes are being treated with the same mythical reverence. A new … [Read more...] about Be Kind, Rewind: The Case for Physical Media
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Why I’m Taking Voice Lessons (and What I’m Changing)
I work hard to make better songs and videos, and lately that includes something new: voice lessons. I’m three sessions in with a coach. No overnight transformation, but there’s already movement in the right direction—and a shift in how I work. Why now My old workflow went like this: finish writing a song (chords, melody, lyrics), then record it—sometimes within hours. … [Read more...] about Why I’m Taking Voice Lessons (and What I’m Changing)
Ponyo on the Big Screen (and Why It Stuck With Us)
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Studio Ghibli, we’ve been thrilled to watch some favorites on the big screen this summer: Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and—yesterday—the film that started it all for our family, Ponyo. My wife discovered a Ponyo DVD at the Hoboken library back in (I think) 2009. I had never heard of Hayao Miyazaki, wasn’t remotely interested in … [Read more...] about Ponyo on the Big Screen (and Why It Stuck With Us)
Why Kids’ Media Needs Messy Realism: Insights from The Bad News Bears
Lately, I’ve noticed a shift in how I approach my work—maybe in response to the tidal wave of AI-generated content flooding our screens. I’m not anti-AI. In fact, I use it throughout my own production process and will keep experimenting with new tools as they arrive. AI helps me tell better stories, trim down production time, and create professional-looking images, videos, and … [Read more...] about Why Kids’ Media Needs Messy Realism: Insights from The Bad News Bears
How a Werewolf Hunt Turned Into a Whole World of Adventures
Six months ago, Funtime Happy Camp didn’t exist. There were no s’mores by the campfire, no mysterious paw prints on the trail, no pirates docking at the lake, and certainly no dinosaurs strolling past the mess hall. Back then, my channel had one big thing going for it: monster hunt songs. Each hunt featured different lead characters—until Zack and Maya came along. I imagined … [Read more...] about How a Werewolf Hunt Turned Into a Whole World of Adventures